SUMMARY:
OSHA Releases New Vaccination Requirements for Large Employers
|
|
The rule covers all employers with a total of 100 or more employees, with some exceptions described below. Covered employers must develop, implement, and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, with an exception for employers that instead adopt a policy requiring employees to elect either to get vaccinated or to undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work.
SUMMARY
Which employers are covered by the ETS?
- Private employers with 100 or more employees firm- or corporate-wide.
- In states with OSHA-approved State Plans, state and local government employers, as well as private employers, with 100 or more employees will be covered by state occupational safety and health requirements.
Which workplaces are not covered by the ETS?
- Workplaces covered under the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and subcontractors.
- Settings where any employee provides healthcare services or healthcare support services when subject to the requirements of the Healthcare ETS (§ 1910.502).
- Workplaces of employers who have fewer than 100 employees in total.
- Public employers in states without State Plans.
If an employer is covered by the ETS, does that mean all of its employees must follow the provisions of this ETS?
- No. The requirements of the ETS do not apply to:
- Employees who do not report to a workplace where other individuals are present.
- Employees while working from home.
- Employees who work exclusively outdoors.
What does the ETS require employers to do?
- Develop, implement, and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, with an exception for employers that instead establish, implement, and enforce a policy allowing employees to elect either to get vaccinated or to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at the workplace.
- Determine the vaccination status of each employee, obtain acceptable proof of vaccination from vaccinated employees, maintain records of each employee’s vaccination status, and maintain a roster of each employee’s vaccination status.
- Support vaccination by providing employees reasonable time, including up to four hours of paid time, to receive each primary vaccination dose, and reasonable time and paid sick leave to recover from any side effects experienced following each primary vaccination dose.
- Ensure that each employee who is not fully vaccinated is tested for COVID-19 at least weekly (if in the workplace at least once a week) or within 7 days before returning to work (if away from the workplace for a week or longer).
- Require employees to promptly provide notice when they receive a positive COVID-19 test or are diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Immediately remove from the workplace any employee, regardless of vaccination status, who received a positive COVID-19 test or is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a licensed healthcare provider, and keep the employee out of the workplace until return to work criteria are met.
- Ensure that each employee who is not fully vaccinated wears a face covering when indoors or when occupying a vehicle with another person for work purposes, except in certain limited circumstances.
- Provide each employee with information, in a language and at a literacy level the employee understands, about the requirements of the ETS and workplace policies and procedures established to implement the ETS; vaccine efficacy, safety, and the benefits of being vaccinated (by providing the CDC document “Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines”); protections against retaliation and discrimination; and laws that provide for criminal penalties for knowingly supplying false statements or documentation.
- Report work-related COVID-19 fatalities to OSHA within 8 hours of learning about them, and work-related COVID-19 in-patient hospitalizations within 24 hours of the employer learning about the hospitalization.
- Make certain records available for examination and copying to an employee (and to anyone having written authorized consent of that employee) or an employee representative.
When does it take effect?
- Employers must comply with most provisions by 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
- Employers must comply with the testing requirement by 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
This summary highlights some of the requirements of the ETS; however, employers should consult the standard for full details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
|
|
Upcoming 495/MetroWest Partnership Events
All Partnership events and committee meetings are being held virtually, via Zoom, at present. Committee meetings posted here are open to all interested persons with advance registration.
Upcoming Events:
-
Housing Committee Forum on Transit Oriented Development: The Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will host a virtual forum focused on Transit Oriented Development on Tuesday, November 9th at 8:30 AM. The agenda will include discussion from a panel of municipal officials representing different communities in our region talking about their successes and plans for Transit Oriented Development, ranging from recent development to long-term visioning centered around Commuter Rail stations. Related topics for discussion include zoning overlays, financing, parking requirements, mixed-use development, induced demand, and developer interests. This event will be hosted virtually via Zoom; click here to register.
-
I-90 Allston Multimodal Project Presentation: The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will host MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver for a presentation on the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project on Tuesday, November 23rd at 8:30 AM. The project will remove the existing Allston Viaduct carrying the Massachusetts Turnpike along the Charles River in Boston and likely construct an all-at-grade replacement of the Turnpike, Soldiers Field Road, and commuter rail tracks. The proposed project will further create a new stop on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Line to be known as West Station. The completed project, as well as its 8-10 year construction phase, will have a substantial impact on commuters and businesses to the west of Boston. Attendees will hear an update on the project, and have the opportunity to offer comments and questions to the Administrator. This presentation will be hosted virtually via Zoom. Advance registration is required for this session; click here to register.
|
|
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the Partnership can be of any assistance to you:
Jason Palitsch, Executive Director
(774) 760-0495 x105
Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening our region.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
